Roll stabilizer for boats

ABSTRACT

A stabilizer device for minimizing roll of a floating vessel comprises a submergible rectangular frame having a harness for suspending it in the water outboard of the vessel and for maintaining it in substantially horizontal position. Four flexible nonmetallic flaps triangular in outline cooperate to cover substantially the full area of the frame, one edge of each of the flaps being secured to one side of the frame, respectively. Transverse frame elements extend under the flaps to limit downward flexing movement thereof, whereby the flaps flex upward to permit movement of the water upward through the submerged frame, and whereby the flaps engage the transverse frame elements to minimize downward movement of water through the submerged frame.

United States Patent Schuyler V. V. Hoffman 15146 La Calms Drive, Whittier, Calif.

[72] Inventor lmaizumi .114/122 ABSTRACT: A stabilizer device for minimizing roll of a floating vessel comprises a submergible rectangular frame having a harness for suspending it in the water outboard of the vessel and for maintaining it in substantially horizontal position. Four flexible nonmetallic flaps triangular in outline cooperate to cover substantially the full area of the frame, one edge of each of the flaps being secured to one side of the frame, respectively. Transverse frame elements extend under the flaps to limit downward flexing movement thereof, whereby the flaps flex upward to permit movement of the water upward through the submerged frame, and whereby the flaps engage the transverse frarne elements to minimize downward movement of water through the submerged frame.

ROLL STABILIZER FOR BOATS This invention relates to an improved roll stabilizer for boats. It is often desirable to minimize the extent of roll of a boat such as, for example, when the boat is at anchor and per sons on board are inconvenienced by the rolling motion, or when the boat is positioned alongside a dock and persons come aboard over the side, etc. An important use of such roll stabilizers is in connection with sailboats riding at anchor where the rolling motion caused by swells, wakes, or waves is objectionable to persons trying to sleep on board.

Among the advantages of the roll stabilizer embodying this invention are: it may be conveniently suspended from a boom over one side or both sides of a vessel at anchor; and installation and removal are readily accomplished. The device is of light weight and can be stowed in very small space on board until needed. An important feature is that it operates to limit rolling motion of the boat, and it does so quietly and without any jarring or metallic clanking action which would interfere with sleep of persons on board.

IN THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a roll stabilizer of this invention in position with respect to a sailboat.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the roll stabilizer device suspended from a boom or pole and ready to be lowered into a submerged position below the water level.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the frame of shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation.

FIG. 5 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the lines 5-5 as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings, a sailboat generally designated is provided with the usual mast 11 and is also provided with a pole or boom 12 connected to the mast and supported at its outer end by the line 13. In accordance with this invention, a roll stabilizer device generally designated 15 is suspended from the outer end of the boom 12 by means ofa tension line 14. The device 15 is constructed to resist upward movement through the water but to permit lowering movement therethrough, with the result that the roll of the vessel 10 is substantially reduced or eliminated. If desired, two booms can be used, one extending on each side of the vessel 10, and each connected to a roll-stabilizing device 15. As shown in the drawings, the device 15 comprises a rectangular frame 16 having a continuous metal bar forming the four sides l7, l8, l9 and 20 which constitute the outer boundary. A straight transverse bar 22 and a pair of zigzag bars 23 and 24 are secured to the boundary sides and to each other to form a platform in the same plane. The frame could take any other suitable or desired shape.

A plurality of flexible nonmetallic flaps 25, 26, 27 and 28 are each triangular in shape, and each has one edge thereof clamped between one of the sides of the frame 16 and one of the sides of the metallic clamping frame 30. Thus one edge of the nonmetallic flexible flap 25 is clamped to the frame side 17, and the same is true of flap 26 with respect to side 18, flap 27 with respect to side 19, and flap 28 with respect to side 20. Fasteners 31 extend through the frames 16 and and through the intermediate flap to hold the parts in clamped position. 1

When the frame 16 is lowered downward through the water, the flaps 25, 26, 27 and 28 flex upwardly, as shown in FIG. 2, to permit water to pass upward through the frame 16. Conversely, when the frame 16 is moved upward with respect to the water, the flaps return to horizontal position, resting on the platform provided by the transverse frame elements 22, 23 and 24. The flaps thus act as a valve to let water pass one way through the frame 16 but prevent it from passing the other way. When the flaps are in engagement with the transverse frame elements 22, 23 and 24, the flaps cooperate to cover substantially the full area of the frame.

the device A harness of metal cables 33 is attached to each corner of the frame and to a central eye 34 engaged by the tension line 16. When not in use, the cables 33 and the flexible flaps lie substantially flat against the frame, so that only minimum space is required for storage.

Having fully described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I am not to be limited to the details herein set forth, and that various modifications may occur to persons skilled in the art.

Iclaim:

I. In a stabilizer device for minimizing roll ofa floating vessel, the combination of: a submergible frame having parts forming a continuous outer boundary, means attached to the boundary parts of the frame for suspending it in the water outboard of a vessel and for maintaining the submerged frame in substantially horizontal position, a plurality of flexible nonmetallic flaps cooperating to cover substantially the full area of the frame, means securing the flaps to the outer boundary parts of the frame, and transverse frame elements extending between the boundary parts to limit downward flexing movement of said flaps, whereby the flaps flex upward relative to the frame boundary to permit movement of water upward through the submerged frame, and whereby the flaps engage the transverse frame elements to minimize downward movement of water through the submerged. frame.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the frame boundary parts comprise a plurality of straight sides, and

wherein one flap is secured to each of said sides.

,substantially horizontal position, four flexible nonmetallic flaps triangular in outline cooperating to cover substantially the full area of the frame, means clamping one edge of each of the flaps to one side of the frame, respectively, and transverse frame elements extending under the flaps to limit downward flexing movement of said flaps, whereby the flaps flex upward relative to the frame boundary to permit movement of water upward through the submerged frame, and whereby the flaps engage the transverse frame elements to minimize downward movement of water through the submerged frame.

6. In a stabilizer device for minimizing roll of a floating vessel, the vessel having a boom extending laterally therefrom, the combination of: a submergible frame having parts forming a continuous outer boundary, means. including a harness attached to the boundary parts of the frame for suspending it from the boom and for maintaining the submerged frame in substantially horizontal position, a plurality of flexible nonmetallic flaps cooperating to cover substantially the full area of the frame, means securing the flaps to the outer boundary parts of the frame, and transverse frame elements extending between the boundary parts to limit downward flexing movement of said flaps, whereby the flaps; flex upward relative to the frame boundary to permit downward movement of the submerged frame, and whereby the flaps engage the transverse frame elements to resist upward movement of the submerged frame.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein the frame boundary parts comprise a plurality of straight sides, and wherein one flap is secured to each of said sides.

8. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein the frame boundary parts comprise a plurality of straight sides, and each of the flaps is triangular in outline.

9. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein the frame boundary is rectangular and wherein four flaps are provided, each triangular in outline. 

1. In a stabilizer device for minimizing roll of a floating vessel, the combination of: a submergible frame having parts forming a continuous outer boundary, means attached to the boundary parts of the frame for suspending it in the water outboard of a vessel and for maintaining the submerged frame in substantially horizontal position, a plurality of flexible nonmetallic flaps cooperating to cover substantially the full area of the frame, means securing the flaps to the outer boundary parts of the frame, and transverse frame elements extending between the boundary parts to limit downward flexing movement of said flaps, whereby the flaps flex upward relative to the frame boundary to permit movement of water upward through the submerged frame, and whereby the flaps engage the transverse frame elements to minimize downward movement of water through the submerged frame.
 2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the frame boundary parts comprise a plurality of straight sides, and wherein one flap is secured to each of said sides.
 3. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the frame boundary parts comprise a plurality of straight sides, and each of the flaps is triangular in outline.
 4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the frame boundary is rectangular and wherein four flaps are provided, each triangular in outline.
 5. In a stabilizer device for minimizing roll of a floating vessel, the combination of: a submergible rectangular frame, means attached to the frame for suspending it in the water outboard of a vessel and for maintaining the submerged frame in substantially horizontal position, four flexible nonmetallic flaps triangular in outline cooperating to cover substantially the full area of the frame, means clamping one edge of each of the flaps to one side of the frame, respectively, and transverse frame elements extending under the flaps to limit downward flexing movement of said flaps, whereby the flaps flex upward relative to the frame boundary to permit movement of water upward through the submerged frame, and whereby the flaps engage the transverse frame elements to minimize downward movement of water through the submerged frame.
 6. In a stabilizer device for minimizing roll of a floating vessel, the vessel having a boom extending laterally therefrom, the combination of: a submergible frame having parts forming a continuous outer boundary, means including a harness attached to the boundary parts of The frame for suspending it from the boom and for maintaining the submerged frame in substantially horizontal position, a plurality of flexible nonmetallic flaps cooperating to cover substantially the full area of the frame, means securing the flaps to the outer boundary parts of the frame, and transverse frame elements extending between the boundary parts to limit downward flexing movement of said flaps, whereby the flaps flex upward relative to the frame boundary to permit downward movement of the submerged frame, and whereby the flaps engage the transverse frame elements to resist upward movement of the submerged frame.
 7. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein the frame boundary parts comprise a plurality of straight sides, and wherein one flap is secured to each of said sides.
 8. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein the frame boundary parts comprise a plurality of straight sides, and each of the flaps is triangular in outline.
 9. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein the frame boundary is rectangular and wherein four flaps are provided, each triangular in outline. 